Course Syllabus (Tentative) August 24, 2011

Course Information Course Number/Section Course Title Term Days & Times SMED 5303.501.11f Research and Evaluation in Science & Mathematics Education Fall, 2011 Tuesdays from 7:00 PM 9:45 PM, SLC 1.214

Professor Contact Information Professor Phillip Kisunzu, Ph.D. Office Phone 972-883-6482 Email Address pkisunzu@utdallas.edu Office Location FN 3.308E Office Hours To be announced Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions If you have any concerns about your readiness for this course, please discuss issues with your advisor. Student in this course 1. Must be eligible to take graduate courses at The University of Texas at Dallas. 2. Must know how to and be able to send and receive electronic mail messages. 3. Must know how to and be able to access and navigate web pages on the Internet. 4. Must be fluent in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 5. Are expected to have some practical experience teaching and working with students in an educational setting, i.e. one semester teaching experience in science and/or mathematics, or consent of instructor. 6. Are expected to have some familiarity with district, state and national guidelines for science and/or mathematics education. Course Description
Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Science and Mathematics Education addresses

a question that Professor Barry Fraser (Curtin University in Australia) raised, in his presidential address at the National Association of Research in Science Teaching conference: how is educational research translated into practice in classrooms across the world? The course will address the questions of the following types: Why does anyone conduct educational research? From the educational researchers point of view, we are interested in extending the knowledge of our field and in making changes that will enhance the learners ability to achieve. Why would a teacher want to read about education research? First, youll want to know when authors are feeding you a line. Next youll want to know what has worked in other classrooms and how likely the program is to work with your students. Third, like educational researchers, you want to help your students achieve. What does research mean for the success of our students? As concerned citizens,

Course Syllabus SMED 5303.501.11f

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we want all students, no matter their level in school, to be able to function successfully in our society. Education research attempts to understand how students learn and what pedagogical strategies work best in what circumstances. Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes The goal of this course is to familiarize students with research in science and/or mathematics education. Toward that end, as a result of taking this course students will be able to: 1. Search the current body of science and/or mathematics education literature and produce a literature review focusing on a specific topic in science and/or mathematic education research. 2. Evaluate critically relevant education research documents. 3. Give a convincing oral presentation describing a particular position in science and/or mathematics education research. 4. Formulate an independent research plan based on a formal review of the science and/or mathematics education literature. The research plan (See item 4 above) will become the basis for your work in the next course in this course sequence SMED 5304 Reflections on Science and Mathematics Education offered in the spring semester. Assessment of student learning objectives: Students will produce a literature review consisting of ten (10) high-quality research paper evaluations relevant to an approved science and/or mathematics education research question and a formal review of literature within the genre of science and/or mathematics education research. Required Textbooks and Materials: (Available in the University Bookstore and amazon.com) Understanding Research: A Consumers Guide By Vicki L. Plano-Clark and John W. Creswell, 2010 (ISBN-13: 978-0-13-158389-4) Merrill (Pearson) Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association: 6th Edition (or 5th Edition) American Psychological Association (ISBN 1-55798-790-4) American Psychological Association https://eLearning.utdallas.edu http://www.myeducationlab.com (pending login authorization from text publisher) Much of class information including the syllabus, links to papers, and other resources, etc., will be accessed either from eLearning (http://elearning.udtallas.edu) (click on

Course Syllabus SMED 5303.501.11f

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Academic) or myeducationlab.com (pending login authorization from textbook publisher. Stay tuned!). You should check the course eLearning site frequently. Required Materials Internet access. All coursework, reading assignments, and lesson activities will be provided electronically via the World Wide Web; therefore, you must have a reliable connection and updated browser. (You can access the course from any web-based system!) Firefox is recommended and can be downloaded at no cost from http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/. Email account. Individual correspondence will be conducted via electronic mail; therefore, you must have a working UTD email account that can send and receive attachments. UT-Dallas creates an account for you upon enrollment. Although you may have your UTD email forwarded to some other email account, UTD encourages all official
student email correspondence be sent only to a students UT-Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. The instructor will communicate with the student only through the students UTD assigned email address. Therefore, i t is

absolutely the students responsibility to check her/his UTD-email correspondence on a regular basis. Required Software. In addition to Internet access, you must have Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel (Windows XP, Windows 7, or an up-to-date version for Mac). Teachers and UTD students are eligible for discounts (see http://www.utdtechstore.com). Also, you must have installed the latest releases of Apples QuickTime Player (see http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download) and Adobes Acrobat Reader (see http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html) free downloads! Suggested Materials Optional Tools. It is strongly recommended that you have installed and regularly update an online virus scan utility on your system. It is your responsibility to save your work and make backups! Other useful, but not required, applications include Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop Inspiration (see http://www.inspiration.com), Microsoft Publisher, or Microsoft FrontPage. On-Line Quizzes Before Each Class You are expected to read the relevant sections in the textbooks before coming to class. (The detailed assignments will be posted on the courses eLearning site.) Beginning on Tuesday, September 6, and for every class day following, you will be assigned a brief on-line quiz on the reading material. These quizzes are taken via the WWW using eLearning and must be completed no later than 5:00 PM on class days. The quizzes will usually be posted at least 24 hours in advance in the courses Assessments folder.

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Assignments & Academic Calendar Fall Semester, 2011 Tentative Class Schedule (Subject to change) The course will follow the official UTD academic semester schedule listed at www.utdallas.edu. The following outline is intended as a guide only and is subject to change as announced during the course.
SMED 5303

Week 01

Reading from Plano-Clark and Creswell Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 1 (*): (1) Course Overview and Introductions; (2) Handout 1 (Fig. 1.4) Chapter 1: Learning How Research is Done pp. 3-64 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 2: Locating Published Research Library session with Ms. Susie Kutchi McDermott Library, Room 2.524 Chapter 2: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches to Research Reports pp. 65-78 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 3: Chapter 3: The Research Problem pp. 79-112 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 4: Chapter 4: The Literature Review pp. 113-134 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 5: Chapter 5: Identifying the Intent of a Study pp. 135-161 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 6: First part of Literature Review Paper Due Chapter 6: Quantitative Research Designs pp. 163-179 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 7: Chapter 7: How Information is Gathered pp. 180-208 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 8: Chapter 8: Quant Data Analysis and Results pp. 209-230 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 9: Chapter 9: Qualitative Research Designs pp. 231-249 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 10: Chapoter 10: Qualitative Data Collection pp. 250-276 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 11: Chapter 11: Qualitative Data Analysis and Results pp. 277-294 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 12: Draft of Position Presentation Due Chapter 12: Mixed Methods Research pp. 295-331 Mystery Hands-On Activities Set 13: Complete Literature Review Paper Due Chapter 13: Action Research Designs pp. 332-350 20 Minute Position Presentations in Class Draft of Research Proposal Due Chapter 14: Interpreting Research pp. 351-361 Research Study Proposal DUE and Course Evaluation

Dates Aug 30

Due Dates Sept 6

02

Sept 6

Sept 13

03 04 05 06

Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4

Sept 20 Sept 27 Oct 4 Oct 11

07 08 09 10 11

Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Nov 8

Oct 18 Oct 25 Nov 1 Oct 8 Nov 15

12

Nov 15

Nov 22

13

Nov 22

Nov 29

14

Nov 29

Dec 6

15

Dec 6

Dec 13

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(*) Mystery Hands-On Activities Sets will (typically) be of the types: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Reading Research Articles for Class Discussion Applying the Concepts Learned Applying the Evaluation Criteria Producing Research Special Handouts, etc.

Grading Policy We will use the following weightings in determining your grades: Elements required for the course (Percentage of final course grade) 10% Class Participation 25% Literature Review Paper 15% Position Presentation 10% Project Assignments 15% Research Paper Evaluations 10% Textbook/Reading Quizzes 10% Discussion Board Postings 05% Research Study Proposal 00% Final Course Evaluation Grades will be assigned based on the following criteria: C: successful completion of most of each of the elements listed above, moderate engagement in class discussion and discussion board postings, acceptable literature review paper, research paper evaluations, position presentation and research study proposal B: successful completion of all of the elements listed above, substantial engagement in class discussion and discussion board postings, good literature review paper, research paper evaluations, position presentation and research study proposal A: successful completion of all of the elements listed above, excellent grades on all quizzes, exemplary engagement in class discussion and discussion board postings, well-written and thoughtful literature review paper, research paper evaluations, position presentation and research study proposal Course Policies Written work: All assignments must be word processed and submitted via eLearning. Final grades: No Incompletes will be given in the course unless extenuating circumstances (as outlined in UTD policy manual) warrant this grade.

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Ownership of written work: This course will use the resources of Turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. All work must be your own, with appropriate citations included as necessary. By enrolling in this you agree that your work will be submitted to Turnitin.com to review and evaluate the originality and intellectual integrity of your work. A description of the services, terms, conditions of use, and privacy policy of Turnitin.com can be found at http://www.turnitin.com. All work submitted to Turnitin.com will be added to its permanent database of papers. If the result of the Turnitin.com review analysis detects academic dishonesty, the concerned written coursework as well as all associated materials may be forwarded to the appropriate university authority for disciplinary action (See Academic Integrity below). Promptness for class: Please be prompt for class. Tardiness disrupts your fellow students and the instructor. Make-up quizzes: Make-up quizzes will be available only for extreme emergencies unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. Late Work: No late homework is accepted except for extreme emergencies unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor. Class Attendance: Not formally required, but classroom discussion and participation in activities constitutes a substantial portion of your grade. Classroom Citizenship: We need to make the most effective use of class time. I ask you to do the following: o Please turn off all cell phones and pagers during class. o Bringing food and drink (other than water) to class is not permitted as this causes unnecessary distraction to the class.
Technical Support
If you experience any problems with your UTD account you may send an email to: assist@utdallas.edu or call the UTD Computer Helpdesk at 972-883-2911.

Field Trip Policies / Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address http://www.utdallas.edu/BusinessAffairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean. Below is a description of any travel and/or riskrelated activity associated with this course.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and

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each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD printed publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the universitys Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391) and online at http://www.utdallas.edu/judicialaffairs/UTDJudicialAffairs-HOPV.html A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity
The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. Scholastic Dishonesty, any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the universitys policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details).

Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials, including music and software. Copying, displaying, reproducing, or distributing copyrighted works may infringe the copyright owners rights and such infringement is subject to appropriate disciplinary action as well as criminal penalties provided by federal law. Usage of such material is only appropriate when that usage constitutes fair use under the Copyright Act. As a UT Dallas student, you are required to follow the institutions copyright policy (Policy Memorandum 84-I.3-46). For more information about the fair use exemption, see http://www.utsystem.edu/ogc/intellectualproperty/copypol2.htm

Email Use
The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent only to a students U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the

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identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the universitys Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called the respondent). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondents School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Deans decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semesters end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F.

Disability Services
The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please confirm this schedule as it may have changed since last updated.

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The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is: The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22 PO Box 830688 Richardson, Texas 75083-0688 (972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY) disabilityservice@utdallas.edu If you anticipate issues related to the format or requirements of this course, please meet with the Coordinator of Disability Services. The Coordinator is available to discuss ways to ensure your full participation in the course. If you determine that formal, disability-related accommodations are necessary, it is very important that you be registered with Disability Services to notify them of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. Disability Services can then plan how best to coordinate your accommodations. It is the students responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee.

These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor.

Course Syllabus SMED 5303.501.11f

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